Comments (0)Best You Can Do?
July 03, 2009How disgusted I was to see who was on the cover of the current issue (June 26). With all the possible choices you have, Sacha Baron Cohen is the best you could come up with?
Not only do I find Cohen’s humor disgusting and not funny, but I think he is an embarrassment to the Jewish race, and to the entire human race.
Joel Bulmash
Baltimore
Carter: Anti-Israel
July 03, 2009Contrary to the views of Neil Rubin’s June 26 Editor’s Notebook “Carter Unmasked,” former President Jimmy Carter, despite having friends who are Jewish and despite the kudos given to him by these same individuals, has shown by his actions that he is terminally anti-Israel. Certainly the funds given to him by Saudi Arabian individuals during the financial difficulties with his peanut farm has influenced his attitude toward the Jewish state, as well as has additional moneys from the same source given to his presidential library.
Can we change his anti-Israel bias? The evidence is negative. He will remain a barrier to peace in the region as long as his stance is totally anti-Israel and entirely pro-Arab.
Nelson Marans
Silver Spring
No Tolerance Needed
July 03, 2009I am compelled to respond to Richard Crystal’s June 26 letter “Excellent Point.” I think I speak for the entire Orthodox Jewish community when I say that the only “agenda,” as he puts it, that we have is the observance of the Torah, period. As such, we will not entertain group discussions and forums that discuss the bending and breaking of G-d’s laws as written therein. We will not discuss the possibility of Shabbos desecration, the acceptance of homosexuality, or any other perversion and violation of the Torah.
Talking about Judaism with people who think that holding Shabbos services in a church, violating Shabbos when you know better, and accepting the ordination of lesbian and gay “rabbis” who will perform intermarriage ceremonies are all things that are just wonderful, is pointless, fruitless and is not going to happen. At least not unless it’s done to try and convince them that they need to turn aside from their sinful ways. As long as Mr. Crystal chooses to consider the fight for Torah observance an “agenda,” there can be no discussion.
If he is unhappy with living in the observant community, I suggest he peruse the real estate section. If he’s waiting for us to become more tolerant and accepting, I hope he’s not holding his breath.
Michael Caplan
Baltimore
Bagels, Bagels!
July 03, 2009One small correction in Alan Feiler’s July 26 business article “Avoiding The Big Freeze.” He was mistakenly informed that a bagel bistro will be opening in August. Unfortunately I will not be open until October. I look forward to serving the community and can’t wait to meet old friends and make new ones. The name of the establishment will be Quarry Bagel & Cafe.
Geoffrey Friedman
Baltimore
Once, But No More
July 03, 2009Several references to the Liberty Jewish Center in Alan Feiler’s “Sad Ending” article are not entirely correct. The Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah Hebrew Congregation is formerly known as the Liberty Jewish Center, not “also known as Liberty Jewish Center.”
I understand trying to link a point of reference to the former Liberty Jewish Center, but please state it correctly as formerly known, not also known. Other references in the column to Liberty Jewish Center should be corrected to read “Moses Montefiore…”
The picture of the stone marker at the shul’s entrance is correctly referenced.
Irvin J. Lustman
Baltimore
National Suicide
July 03, 2009President Barack Obama and others are once again applying pressure on Israel to make concessions to the Palestinians to achieve a peace agreement (“Take Obama At His Words,” June 26).
However, over the years nobody seems to be aware of the real roots of this turmoil that originated in the British Mandate, and thus they continue to follow a path leading nowhere.
The British Mandate in the Levant included Palestine, 20 percent of which was destined to become Jewish, and the land east of the Jordan River, 80 percent of which was called Trans-Jordan destined to become Arab.
Now called Jordan, today its population is heavily Palestinian, including the Queen of Jordan. Jordan was thus removed from any further discussion of agreements between Jews and Arabs and the entire focus was placed on Palestine. In short, they got their Arab state.
Prior to and after World War II, Arabs protested the British allowing Jews to emigrate to their ancient homeland. In 1948, the Jews accepted a compromise for partition. The Arabs rejected a Jewish state, told Arabs in Palestine to leave so that they could return after the war they declared. The Arabs lost the war and continue to keep millions of Palestinian Arabs living in squalor in refugee camps.
In 2000, Ehud Barak offered Yassir Arafat practically everything. Arafat refused to sign because he feared being killed for betraying the ultimate goal of the Arabs. Palestinian children are still being taught that Jews are monkeys and pigs.
It is easy to talk about a two-state solution, but if your partner intends to eliminate you, if not by battle, then by overwhelming you demographically and is willing to wait as long as it takes, then you are simply signing your own national suicide.
Dr. Paul J. Harris
Pikesville
Correction
June 26, 2009Last week’s Editor’s Notebook by Phil Jacobs, “Finding Father’s Day,” should have noted that the late JEWISH TIMES publisher Charles “Chuck” Buerger wrote a letter to his daughter, Jodi, 27 years ago, not 21 years ago.
Believe Obama
June 26, 2009Publisher Andrew A. Buerger’s recent op-ed noted Obama’s Cairo speech raised the question: “Is this a major shift away from strong, unflinching U.S. support for Israel?” There is reason to believe it did.
For example, Obama complained about occupation for Palestinian Arabs, but failed to disclose their horrific terrorism that necessitated these conditions. This was misleading and deceptive.
He also stated: “No single nation should pick and choose which nation holds nuclear weapons.” This could deny Israel the right single handedly to prevent Iran from developing nuclear arms.
Furthermore, Obama said “I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not” and hoped that “all countries in the region” shared the goal of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Article VI of that treaty, as interpreted by some governments, would require Israel to surrender any nuclear advantage she may have.
The present controversy with Obama thus involves not merely settlements, but also an attempt to impair Israel’s security measures, no matter how justified, and to alter the military balance of power to Israel’s disadvantage and harm.
Obama fails to distinguish between aggressor and victim. This is like equating the Holocaust Memorial murderer to the armed security guards who shot him down in self-defense and in defense of other innocents.
It’s time for the Jewish community and their leaders, as well as Congress, to wake up and have the courage to stand up. To paraphrase an ancient writing about heroism, “Who knows whether you have not come here for such a time as this.”
Daniel R. Schaefer
Hartford, Conn.
Free Shalit
June 26, 2009On June 25, 2009 it was three years since Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was captured by Hamas terrorists while patrolling the Gaza border with Israel. At the time of his capture—carried out without cause or provocation—Shalit was a mere 20-years-old.
Hamas’ capture of Shalit, denial of Red Cross access to him, and refusal to negotiate in good faith with Israel for his release, violate international law and constitute war crimes. These actions by Hamas are consistent with, and reflective of, a hateful ideology that is hostile to the West and that seeks Israel’s destruction. Particularly at this time of renewed diplomatic activity in the Middle East, we as Jews should call upon the United States and all countries and individuals of good will to demand the immediate release of Gilad Shalit and to hold Hamas accountable for Shalit’s humane treatment and safe return.
Baltimore Zionist District
Loryn Lesser, President
Jim Schiller, Chairman of the Board
Jay Bernstein, Advocacy Committee Chair
Fran Sonnenschein, Executive Director
Maayan Jaffe, Program Coordinator
Good Kick
June 26, 2009Congratulations to Krieger Schechter Physical Education teacher, Chris Schanberger, who voluntarily coached the talented Legends soccer team to victory in the regional soccer tournament (“Kicking It Into Overdrive,” June 19). As you go on to the 3V3 national finals, good luck to all six teammates from Beth Tfiloh, each a member of the Krieger Schechter graduating class of 2007!
Erika Pardes Schon
Baltimore
Vilnius Update
June 26, 2009I thank the JEWISH TIMES for reprinting at jewishtimes.com the JTA article “Sale Of Jewish Property In Lithuania Thwarted.” It is wonderful to get news of Lithuania out to a wider audience. Baltimore is a great city. With the Inner Harbor to visit and with John Waters as a native son, how could it get any better? I spent many pleasant times in the Big B. The work of creating the Vilnius Jewish Library continues, as does the effort to get control of the Vilna Ghetto Library from the Lithuanian government. I keep hoping that someone will step forward to help with more than all of the words of support received so far. If only I were a rich man.
Wyman Brent
Shammes, Vilnius Jewish Library
Not Wright
June 26, 2009I am a black male concerned about comments by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright (as recently reported at jewishtimes.com). I hope that Black and Jewish communities can work together in spite of those vile comments. I hope that people understand that the majority of African-Americans do not subscribe to this brand of hate.
Sidney Wade
Catonsville
Excellent Point
June 26, 2009Elissa B. Ness of The Federation of Jewish Women’s Organizations makes an excellent point in her June 6 letter “Women United.” In an ideal world a discussion among the different factions of Judaism would prove most fruitful in resolving issues such as the recent brouhaha over the JCC’s Shabbat plans. However, living in the Fallstaff area I have discovered that the local Orthodox community would most likely shun any type of open dialogue in favor of their own agenda.
Richard Crystal
Baltimore
Baltimore’s First
June 26, 2009Regarding “Oregon Community To Be Built Around A Shul,” which ran last week at jewishtimes.com, is Ashland really the first time a development of houses and apartments has been built around a shul? When the present Beth Tfiloh was built, plans included houses and apartments designed to bring congregants within easy walking distance to synagogue and school. The original plan for high rise apartments was rejected for planning permission and replaced with garden apartments, although several taller building have been added more recently.
Is Ashland just catching up to what Baltimore was doing in the 1960’s?
Joe Feld
Baltimore
Seek Peace
June 19, 2009I found the anti-Obama responses in the June 12 article “Contemplating Cairo” (June 12) by Aron U. Raskas and Rabbi Mitchell Wohlberg to be totally predictable.
Twenty percent of the world’s population is Muslim. I am neither a psychologist, psychiatrist nor mental health professional, but even I realize that to go out of one’s way to honk off one out of every five human beings on this planet is certifiably insane.
Contrary to the pro-settler types, if Israel is to remain democratic and Jewish, under current conditions, time is not on its side — neither politically, nor especially demographically.
People come before property (including the Wailing Wall). Peace is more important than lebensraum. On this point, I happily stand with the “nightingale of Jewish law,” Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik, z’l, who — in sobering comments all the more remarkable for having been made during the period of euphoria after the triumphant 1967 war — indicated that when it comes to returning land, it is not the rabbis’ opinion, but it is the generals’ (and by extension, the democratically-elected politicians’) opinion which counts, and it is the people of Israel which is holy, not the land. The people of Israel — their welfare and well-being, safety and security — take precedence. “Our Judaism is not a religion of shrines; ... that as dear as the Kotel Hama’arovi (Western Wall) is, the 2 million lives of Jews is more important.” (full text available upon request)
Stephen Arkan
Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Different View
June 19, 2009In his June 12 letter, Dr. Howard Kaplan asked numerous questions — all dealing with why the Jewish community is doing nothing about how he perceives our newly-elected president feels about Israel.
It should be evident to Dr. Kaplan that the Jewish community does not have the same perception he has.
Howard Caplan
Baltimore
No Le Pen
June 19, 2009In Mark Gunnery’s April 24 “Spewing Hatred,” a criticism of my April 17 article “The Two-State Solution” posted at jewishtimes.com , he puts me somewhere between David Duke and Monsieur Jean-Marie Le Pen.
I’m only looking out for the welfare of the Jewish people. In my humble opinion, the historical record of Israel’s 61-year existence (and events leading up to its creation) speaks volumes and fully justifies my proposal. Going back to the pre-1967 borders and flooding in three million Arab “refugees” is tantamount to national suicide. You don’t have to be a four-star general to understand that.
Considering all that has transpired over those years, and considering Israel’s repeated one-sided concessions and repeated attempts to reach a true, lasting peaceful solution (all to no avail as the situation has deteriorated), my proposal for a two-state solution is far more humane and fair, especially when compared to the pre-negotiation demands and stipulations set forth by the Palestinian Authority and their host of international supporters.
For example, in the P.A.’s maps and official documents, they don’t even show the existence of the State of Israel. Also, according to my latest information, they have not stopped calling Jews the sons and daughters of pigs and monkeys that should be destroyed.
Once the P.A.’s (Fatah’s) gratuitous smile is unmasked, their true intention (like that of Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, etc.) is, G-d forbid, to completely destroy the Jewish state and they don’t care if it takes five years or 50 years or 500 years, because in their hearts they are convinced they will ultimately win.
How can you even negotiate with people like that?
I am interested in the safety, security, peaceful existence and prosperity of the Jewish people in their ancestral home, the State of Israel. If that qualifies me as a racist, so be it.
Mr. Gunnery’s ideological beliefs are certainly commendable and inspiring. Now, perhaps, he can become fully acquainted with the facts on the ground and study the Torah, history and geography.
Leonard Bloom
Owings Mills
Fringe Debate
June 19, 2009Mendel Saull’s letter last week, “Rebbe Talk,” provides a sad commentary to how destructive the Messianic faction of Chabad is to their fellow Jews and more importantly to themselves. Through their cutting and pasting and cherry picking and misquoting of sources, they have shown that they are not only guilty of shoddy scholarship, but they are downright delusional and totally divorced from any reality.
Due to their silly and frantic behavior, the Messianics have removed themselves from any form of normative Judaism, and a good too many people have fallen into this morass that gets harder to extricate oneself from every day
Kudos to Rabbi Shmuel Kaplan for his public repudiation of this fringe group. One can only hope that such bizarre, foolish and destructive beliefs are not those of mainstream Chabad.
Aron Lederman
Lawrence, N.Y.